Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Spitfire Pilot’s Immediate D.F.M. group of four awarded to Flight Sergeant David Hutton, No. 93 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (1566371 F/Sgt., R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; War Medal, nearly extremely fine (4) £1400-1600

D.F.M. London Gazette 13 July 1945: ‘Flight Sergeant Hutton joined the squadron in the early months of 1945. He soon displayed the qualities of a highly skilled pilot and in his attacks against a variety of enemy targets he has shown courage and determination of a high standard. He has completed many sorties during which he has successfully attacked such targets as enemy strongpoints, bridges, motor transport columns and other targets on the ground. He has at all times shown the greatest devotion to duty.’

Flight Sergeant David Hutton, in civil life a bank clerk of Culross, Fife, was born in Dunfermline and enlisted in the R.A.F.V.R. in 1942. Joining 93 Squadron (Spitfire Mk IX’s) at Rimini, Italy, he commenced operations on 2 December 1944, attacking troops on the Russi-Modecena road. In the ensuing weeks and months, artillery pieces, Nebbelwerfers, railway bridges and cuttings, occupied houses, an oil barge, arms and fuel dumps, and a command post, all received his attention, causing his C.O. Major T. R. J. Taylor, D.S.O., D.F.C., to comment:

‘His personal score of Direct Hits has been exceptional, and his manner in pressing home his attacks, very often in the face of intense and accurate flak, has set a very high example. In one week he was hit by flak three times, but showed no signs of flagging. Indeed on the next occasion he attacked an oil storage plant and despite accurate flak, dropped his bombs on the target. He was hit by flak in the engine, but managed to bring his aircraft back to our lines and landed at a satellite aerodrome. On 12th April 1945 the party of four in which he was flying destroyed 7 M.T. and damaged 9. Again on April 22nd, the formation destroyed 9 and damaged 7 M.T.’ Group Captain Beresford, commanding 324 Wing, concurred; ‘His keenness to hit the Hun hard and often despite intense opposition from flak has singled him out as in every way worthy of the immediate award of the D.F.M.’ Flight Sergeant Hutton remained with 93 Squadron until its disbandment at Klagenfurt, Austria, on 5 September 1945. Sold with copied research.